Dictating phonograph system.



H. P. CLAUSEN.

DICTATING PHONOGRAPH SYSTEM;

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I4. 19M.

1,206,987. Patented Dec. 5,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

T l N a) R VV/fnesses: Q I ln venfo 992 We Henry B C/ausen $3 534 by rAir UNITED STATES PATENT ormcn.

HENRY P. CLAUSEN, OF MOUNT VERNON, YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

DICTATING PHONOGRAPH SYSTEM.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed November 14, 1914. Serial No. 872,107.

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, HENRY P. CLAUSEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mount Vernon, in the county of \Vestchester and State of NewYork, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in DictatingPhonograph Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise,and exact description.

This invention relates to a dicta-ting phonograph system, and moreparticularly to an arrangement of circuits and apparatus therefor,including telephone transmitters and speech recording phonographs. Itsgeneral object is the provision of a simple and easily operatedmeans-through which dictation may be recorded upon a phonograph withoutrequiring of the dictator the labor and attention heretofore commonlyrequired in the use of such apparatus.

Heretofore it has been in general necessary for the user of suchapparatus to insert a phonographic cylinder into the machine, arrangefor the proper setting of the recording stylus, and, when the cylinderhas been completely filled with dictated matter, remove the cylinderfrom the machine and insert another cylinder before proceeding withdictation of additional matter. This labor is of such a character thatit seriously distracts the attention of the dictator and prevents hisgiving proper thought to the subject matter of lllS dictation.

My invention is designed to obviate the necessity, on the part of thedictator, of performing any other labor than he would naturally performwhen the matter is dictated directly to a stcnographer.

Another object of my invention is to permit the centralizing of allmachines used for recording and reproducing the dictated matter, theequipment at the dictators desk consisting of a suitably arrangedtransmitter and a push button or the like which may be' so arranged asto leave the dictators hands entirely free when not occupied I instarting or stopping the machine. It is obvious that the. centralizingof the recording machines permits a. number of dictating stations, forexample six or more, to be served by a lesser number of recordingequipments; for example two or three, it being only necessary to providemeans for permitting the interconnection of the dietators circuit with.that of the recording machines. An attendant, who may also be thetranscriber of the recorded matter, takes care of changing the recordsand of the establishment of necessary circuit connections, so that adictator may dictate continuously. for any desired length of timewithout interruption.

My invention may be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in whichthe variations in the current supply tothe dictators circuit being inductively reproduced through thetransformer C, in the circuit of the phonographic recording apparatus.Two of Such phonographic devices, D and G, are shown, provided,respectively, with driving means E and H 'and recording apparatus F andI. The

recording apparatus F and I of the phonographic devices actuatethe'switching apparatus J and K, respectively, when the recordersapproach the end of the record receiving cylinders, to switch theconnection from the phonograph whose cylinder is filled with thedictated matter to a phonograph of the group having an empty cylinder.The switches J and K control the energization of the relays M and N,which in turn control the driving devices E and H, respectively, andalso control the connection of the circuits of the recorders F and I,respectively, to the dictators line. The circuits of the relays M and Nare also under the control of a switching apparatus L which is set inone of a plurality of possible positions when moved into position by oneof a plurality of electromagnets controlling the position of thisswitching apparatus. The arts D, E, F, J and M are duplicated in t eparts G, H, I, K and N and may be further duplicated as desired, eachset of such parts being represented by a position of the switchingarrangement L.

. An arrangement of relays 0 controls the o eration of alarms P and Q.The alarm P is operated when either one or both of the plu'inographiccylinders are completely filled with dictated matter, for it isobviously necessary that when both cylinders are filled and the dictatordesires that further matters shall be re-recorded, eitherone or both ofthe cylinders be replaced with an empty cylinder by the attendant. It isdesirable, however, that when one cylinder has been filled the change bemade. Therefore the alarm P is arranged to operate when one cylinderbecomes full and continues to operate so long as the dictator continuesto leave the dictating station apparatus in its operated position.Should it occur, however, that no attendant is hresent and bothcylinders are filled, then the alarm Q at the dictators station A willoperate, giving a positive signal to the dictator that no further mattercan be taken care of. A signal lamp R is provided at the dictatorsstation A, which lamp, when it burns, serves as an assurance to the'dictatomthat the matter is being properly recorded.

A description in detail of the operation of the aforementioned apparatusand the circuits therefor will now be given. Assuming that all theapparatus is in normal position and that empty cylinders are in bothphonographic apparatus D, G, a person desiring to dictate from station Awill press a button 1, thereby closing contacts 2 and 3. The closure ofcontact 2 closes the circuit of the dictators transmitter set as followsfrom battery S over wire 4, wire 5, including a coil 6 of transformer C,switch arm 7, contact 2 of push button 1, transmitter 8, switch arm 9,coil 10 of transformer C, and wire 11 to batteryl' The closure ofcontact 3 closes a circuit for the relay M, as follows: from battery 5over wires 4 and 12, signal lamp R, wire 13, contact 3, wire 14, switcharm 15, wire 16, wire 17, cont: at 18, wire 19, winding 20 of relay M,wire 21, contact 22, switch arm 23, wire 24, relay 25, wires 26 and 51,to battery. The result of the establishment of this circuit is to causethe relay M, and also relay 25 ofthe relay structure 0, to becomeenergized. r

When relay M-responds, contact 27 in the circuit of the driving deviceE, and contacts. 28 and 29 in the circuit of the recording device Faret-hereby closed. The closure of contact 27 closes a circuit asfollows: from battery S over wires 4, 4, 30 and 31, through motormechanism or drive device E, wire 32, contact. 27, wire 34, to batteryS. The establishment of this circuit causes the drive deviceEto get intoaction and rotate the 1igylinder; of the phonographic apparatus.

The closure of contacts 28 and 29, due

aaoaeea to the aforementioned energization of relay phcnographicrecorder coil F, wire 36, contact 28, wire 38, coil 39 of transformer C,condenser 40, coilz41 of transformer 0, wire 42 and back to contact 29.This places the dictators telephone circuit in inductive connection withthe phonographic apparatus and the dictator may proceed to speak intothe transmitter, which will result in the spoken word being recorded inthe wellknown manner upon the phonographic cylinder.

Should the dictator release the button 1 at a moment when he is notready to proceed with the dictation, the consequent opening of contact 3will cause the relay M to become de'nergized and this will result in thephonograph driving mechanism E ceasing to operate, but starting againupon the dictator again pressing the push button 1 when again ready toproceed with the work.

When the recorder F reaches its outermost position, that is, theposition in which the cylinder is practically filled with dictatedmatter, the switch J is operated to close contact 44 and to open contact18. This results in automatically shifting the dictators transmittercircuit from one phonograph recorder circuit to another, and

'manner that there will not be any break in the continuity of the matterdictated. The opening of contact 18, which is in the circuit of themagnet M, results in removing current from said magnet M. This magnet,however, is made of the slow, release type so that it will notimmediately return to its normal position. Therefore, the drivingmechanism E will remain in operation for an appreciable length of timeafter contact 18 has been opened.

The shifting of the circuit, due to the op eration of the switch J willnow be described. When contact 44 is closed by the above-mentionedoperation of theswitch J, the following circuit. is established: frombattery S, over wires 4 and 12, signal R, wire 13, contact 3, wire 14,switch arm 15, wire 16, the current dividing at thispoint, one pathbeing over wire 17, contact 44,wire 46, magnet 47 of switching device L,wire 48, wire 49 through winding of alarmrelay 50 and Wire 51 tobattery. The resultant energization of the magnet 47 causes the switcharm 23 of the switching device L to move to its other position andthereby to fclose the contact 57 in the circuit of the relay N. Theotherbranch of the circuit dividing at the junction point between wires 16and 17 is as follows: over wire 52, contact 53, wire '55, winding 56 ofmagnet N, contact 57 of switch L, blade" 23 of switch L, wire 24, alarmrelay 25, wires 26 and 51 to battery. The establishment of-thiscircuitcauses relay N to operate and closethe circuit of the drivedevice H of the phonograph cylinder G as follows: from battery S, wires4, 4',

30 and 58, driving device H, wire 59, contact 60 of relay N, wires 33and 34, to battery.

Likewise contacts 61 211M162 of relay N are closed by the energizationof said relay,

thereby connecting the recorder of the phonographic apparatus G to thedictators circuit over wires 63 and 64. r

It will benoted that when switch J of the phonographic apparatus Doperated, it rei so" sulted in removing current from the relay M andtherefore started to' perform the first operation necessary for stoppingthe rotation l of the phonographic apparatus D. At the same time theoperation of said switchresulted in placing current upon magnet 47 ofthe switch L, which in turn resulted in drawing the-switch arm 23 overto the opposite side, thereby opening contact 22 and closing contact 57.The closure of contact 57 permitted the relay N to operate; The momentthat this relay responds the driving mechanism H comes into action. It,wi1l be noted; as hereinbefore stated, that relay M,

- even though its circuit'was openedwhen re- 'switches J and K areoperated.

' cylinder of a is therefore lay N was cut into service, is ofslow'release. Therefore there is a delayed stoppage of phonographapparatus D, which overlaps the starting perio of phonographic apparatusG. For a short time, for example, onehalf of-ya second, the dictatedmatter will therefore appear upon both cylinders D and G, thus providingtheoverlapping period a necessary to avoid any stoppage in the dlctationof-the matter to be recorded. 7

As hereinbefore stated, the signal P is arranged to'operate when eitheror both of the I If the switch J is in its operated position, andthe thephonographic apparatus D filled, the alarm P will sound, due to the flowof current over the following path: from battery S over wires 4, 4 and65, alarm signal P, wire66, wire 67,

A contact 68, wires 69 and 51 to battery. Should both records be full,that is, sh'ould switches J and K both stand operated, when the dictatorpresses button 1, relay 25 is not energized," since its circuit is notclosed at either contact 18 or 53.. Therefore contact 70 is closed,withthe result that alarm signal Q Will'sound so long as the push buttonl is pressed, the following being the circuit through said alarm'signal: from battery S, over wires 4 and 71,'signal Q, switch arm 73,wire 74, contact 70, wire 75, wire 67, contact 68, wire 69, wire 51 tobattery. It will be observed that while signal Q, operates, signal Palso operates, but that signal P may operate when one only of thephonograph apparatus requires a change of cylinders. It is only when allof the phonograph apparatus connectedto the dictators circuit'is fullthat the signal Q, operates.

I have described the operation when switch J is in its operated positionand switch K is in either its non-operated or operated position. If itbe assumed that the switch J is in its normal position and that theswitch K is then operated by .the cylinder of G becoming filled, theconsequent closure of contact 76 results in throwing the arm 23 ofthe'switching device L to the right. The circuit for effecting thismovement of the arm 23 is as follows: from battery S,-over wires 4 and12, signal R, Wire 13, contact 3, wire 14, switch arm 15, .wire 16, wire52, contact 76, wire 77, magnet 78, wire 49, relay 50 and wire 51 tobattery.

The magnet 78 being thereby energized to move the arm 23 to close thecircuit ofthe relay M at contact 22, the necessary circuits for startingthe driving mechanism of the apparatus D and for switching'the -dictators transmitter circuit to the circuit of the recording device F areestablished, as will be readily understood from the foregoingdescription. It thus appears that when eitherof the phonograph cylindersis filled, the dictator is automatically connected to another phonographof the group, provided there is one ready to'record his dictation.

Otherwise the signal Q, operates to warn and sub-alarm signal -8O. Theattendants or attention is then drawn to-the necessity for establishinga dictating circuit and she may then place the set of plugs T into oneset of the switching jacks Uconnecting toan idle recording group.- As isalso shownin Fig. 2, instead of the switching plugs an ordinary switchB, such as is shown in Fig. 1, may be used, the. signal mechanismoperating similarly to that just described and the attendant, whenresponding, placing the ,switch into connection with an idle phono--graphic recording circuit. Fig. 2 also shows another -set of plugscorresponding to another dictating station, said set having itssub-alarm 81 under the control of relay What is claimed is: Y 7 1. In adictating phonograph system, a dictators transmitter set, a groupof-ponotransmitter and said apparatus in succes 'sion.

2. In .a dictating phonograph system, a .dictators transmitter set, agroup'of phonoeluding a slow-acting relay for automatiicallyshittingtheconnection between said transmitter and one of said apparatus toanother, said relay being associated with one .ofsa'id apparatus andarranged to con-.

trol the connection between its associated apparatus and thetransmitter. In a dictating-phonograph system, a n

dictators transmitter set, a groupiof phono graphic recording apparatus,a plurality of slow-acting relays, one provided for each apparatus,means including said relays for establishing a connection between saidtrans- I established between said f as mitter and anyone ofsaidapparatus, each of said relays being arranged to momen tarily maintainthe connection between the transmitter set andv the apparatus associatedwith s id relay, after a connection has been other apparatus. r K t 4.In a dictating phonograph system, a

tablishing connection between said transmitter and any one'ofsaidap'paratus, each of such relays being associated with one apparatusand arranged to maintain a connection between its associated apparatusand said transmitter, means operative upon complete operation of oneoit'said apparatus for caustransmitter and ana ing a relay associatedtherewith to sever the connection between the said apparatus andtransmitter, and 'meansjncluding the relay I associated wi h anotherapparatus for transapparatus, 3

fer-ring the nnection to the last mentioned 5. In a dictating phonographsystem, the combination or a Vdictators'station provided with atransmitter set, an. attendants station provided witha group ofphon'ographic recording devices, aicircuit connecting said dictatorsstation with said attendants station, an electromagnetically-operatedcon- ,tactadevice for placingsaidrecording devices one at a time in anoperative relation with said transmitter set, and means automaticallyoperatedupon the "completion of ,the operation of one oi? said recordingdetart vices for operating the contact device to I I tablishing aconnection between said trans.

mitterset and one of said apparatus, autpmatic 'me'ans'for transferringsaid connec- I tion from one apparatus to the other, and meansassociated with the first-mentioned means for maintaining the firstmentioned v graphic recordlng apparat'ns, and means 1n connection for ashortperiod of time after the operation of saidautomatic means;

7. In a dictating phonograph system, a.

'dictators. telephone line, a plurality of phonographid recordingapparatus, means for extending said line to said apparatus, a

relay for each of said apparatus controlling the connection of theextended line to its associated apparatus, and means determined by theposition of-each one of said plurality of apparatus for operating one'of said of said connection from one apparatus to v the other, and meanscontrolled by said p1urality of apparatus for operating said device. v 1

' 9. a In a dictatingphonograph system, a dictating transmitter set, agroup of phonographic recording apparatus, and meansm- ,cluding aplurality of slow-acting relays for I automatically establishinga'connection be-' tween said transmitter and said apparatus insuccession, said relays being assoclated,

one with each of said apparatus, and ar ranged to control the connectionbetween its associated apparatus and the, transmitter.

10; lin a dictating phonograph system,-a

dictating transmitter set, a plurality of i phonographic recordingapparatus, means including slow-acting relays'tor automati-' callyconnecting said tramsomitter to said apparatus in rotation, each it saidrelays being associated with one of said apparatus and arranged tocontrol the operation of its associated apparatus.-. v In witnesswhereof, hereunto subscribe myname this 13th day of November, A l).1914. v 1 I Witnesses: E, EDLER,

K. L. STAHLQ [nanny nxotansnnf a

